Despite reach restrictions, Instagram continues to be an essential platform for showcasing your work, attracting new clients, and building a strong online presence as a tattoo artist and studio owner. To maximise your reach and engagement, it's important to understand the best practices for Instagram posting. In this blog, we’ll dive deep into the most effective formats and strategies for Instagram posts, tailored specifically for tattoo artists and studio owners.

1. Reels: Captivate with Short-Form Video Content

Why Reels?

Instagram Reels are short, engaging videos and they are highly favoured by Instagram's algorithm, meaning they often receive more visibility and engagement than traditional posts.

Tips for Creating Reels:

• Document Your Process: Create time-lapse videos of you working on a tattoo from start to finish. This provides a captivating behind-the-scenes look at your work.
• Client Reactions: Capture your clients' reactions when they see their finished tattoos for the first time. Authentic, emotional content tends to perform well.
• Educational Content: Share tips on tattoo aftercare, explain different tattoo styles, or debunk common tattoo myths. This positions you as an expert in your field.
• Trending Audio: Use popular songs or audio clips to make your Reels more discoverable.

Best Practices:

• Keep videos clear and high-quality.
• Use engaging captions and relevant hashtags.
• Post Reels consistently to stay visible on the Explore page.

2. Carousels: Tell a Visual Story

Why Carousels?

Carousels allow you to share multiple photos or videos in a single post. This format is perfect for telling a story or showcasing detailed work, making it ideal for tattoo artists who want to highlight specific styles.

Tips for Creating Carousels:

• Before (with stencil) and After: Show a client's skin before, during, and after the tattoo process to highlight your skill and the transformation.
• Showcase Specialist Styles: If you want to showcase specific styles of tattoos that you would like more enquiries for, carousels are a great way to showcase your best work, to attract the right type of client.
• Step-by-Step Process: Walk your audience through your tattooing process, from the initial sketch to the final piece.

Best Practices:

• Use the first image to grab attention – it should be striking and high-quality.
• Tell a cohesive story with each slide to keep viewers swiping through.
• Include engaging captions for each slide to add context and keep the audience interested.

3. Static Images: Showcase Your Best Work

Why Static Images?

Static images are a classic Instagram format and are perfect for showcasing high-quality photos of your finished tattoos. They allow potential clients to appreciate the details and quality of your work.

Tips for Creating Static Images:

• Professional Quality: Use high-resolution images to capture the details and colours of your tattoos. Consider investing in a good camera or hiring a professional photographer.
• Variety: Show a range of styles and designs to appeal to a broader audience.
• Client Interaction: Include photos of clients with their tattoos to add a personal touch.
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Best Practices:

• Use natural lighting to highlight the true colours of your tattoos.
• Edit images minimally to maintain authenticity.
• Write detailed captions that tell the story behind the tattoo and the client's inspiration.

Conclusion

When it comes to choosing between Reels, Carousels, and Static Images, each format has its own strengths and can serve different purposes for tattoo artists and studio owners:

• Reels are highly favored by Instagram's algorithm, offering increased visibility and engagement. They are perfect for showcasing your process, client reactions, and educational content in a dynamic and engaging way.
• Carousels allow you to tell a detailed story through multiple images or videos, making them ideal for before-and-after showcases, step-by-step processes, and tattoo series.
• Static Images are great for highlighting the high-quality details of your finished tattoos. They are essential for creating a polished and professional Instagram feed.

Ultimately, the best-performing format depends on your specific goals and content. To maximise your reach and engagement, it’s beneficial to incorporate all three formats into your Instagram strategy. Reels can attract new followers, Carousels can keep your audience engaged, and Static Images can showcase your best work. By leveraging each format's strengths, as a tattoo artist or studio owner, you can build a robust and engaging Instagram presence, attracting more clients and growing your business.

Tattooers! Need a hand generating bookings? Why not get started with a free, no obligation 1-to-1 digital marketing consultation with us? You can schedule a meeting with our director, Max, by clicking the link below:

https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/max-wheatcroft

Ink team